8 confirmed dead in Quebec fire, 24 missing

An emergency worker walks past a sign that reads "Look out for our residents" as they search through the icy rubble of a fire that destroyed a seniors' residence Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, in L'Isle-Verte, Quebec. Five people are confirmed dead and 30 people are still missing, while with cause of Thursday morning's blaze is unclear police said. Authorities are using steam to melt the ice and to preserve any bodies that are buried. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

L'ISLE-VERTE, Quebec (AP) — Police say eight people are dead and another 24 are missing after a fire at a seniors' residence in Quebec.

Quebec Provincial Police Lt. Guy Lapointe at a Saturday news conference lowered the number of missing from about 30 to 24 based on more detailed information.

All of the missing are presumed dead after a massive blaze swept through the three-story building in L'Isle-Verte northeast of Quebec City early Thursday.

The confirmed death toll remains at eight as crews on Saturday morning resumed the painstaking search through the iced-over remains of the burned-out retirement home.

Lapointe says police have formally identified two of the victims, with their names to be released later Saturday.